“Although we love each other intensely, we both want different things out of life,” it read in part, going on to thank the reality TV series for introducing them. “We wouldn’t change a single thing about our experience. This was more than just a television show to us, it was real life and real love.”

Kamber engaged her supporters on social media throughout Wednesday afternoon, thanking fans for their support following the announcement of the split. Smith, for his part, re-posted the announcement six hours after he’s originally done so, “in case you haven’t heard first from us.”

Smith, a former wide receiver in the CFL and son of Senator Larry Smith, has been working as an correspondent for Entertainment City. Kamber is a nurse who put her career on hold after the series aired in 2012. After Kamber accepted Smith’s proposal on a beach in Barbados, the pair moved into her parent’s suburban home in Mississauga.

The inaugural season of The Bachelor Canada wrapped in November 2012, with Smith and Kamber insisting at that time that their romance had been “organic” – and that they planned to tie the knot as soon as they could.

“It’s hard for a lot of people to believe that you can have an organic relationship on a reality television show but for us it was seamless,” Smith told the Canadian Press at the time.

But hope springs eternal: Production on the second season of The Bachelor Canada is slated to begin this spring, with the series airing in the fall on City.

There’s the Liberty Bell, Rocky Balboa, the Phillie Phanatic, Benjamin Franklin, Will Smith as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air … and even a cheesesteak.

Kelly has chosen some iconic Philadelphia figures — and foods — for those placards his staff hoists on the sideline to convey plays to those on the field. It’s a system Kelly began using three years ago at Oregon. He borrowed the idea from Oklahoma State, which used the posters against Oregon in the 2008 Holiday Bowl.

Don’t try to figure it out, though. The specifics are a mystery and Kelly won’t allow players or coaches to discuss it.

“They represent a lot of things,” Kelly said when first asked about it by the inquisitive Philadelphia media, refusing to elaborate. “We could tell you what all our signals are, but that’s not going to help us. I’m not going to explain why we go through that whole thing.”

Well, it has a lot to do with the speed of the game. The Eagles don’t huddle much, they run plays quicker than most others in the NFL — a strategy that Kelly has dubbed the “See Coast Offence” — and symbols from the sidelines are quick to pick up.

Eagles sports science co-ordinator Shaun Huls holds a placard during the first half of a game against the Arizona Cardinals earlier this season. Philadelphia rookie head coach Chip Kelly finds signs better to communicate then microphones because the whole team can see the information and speed up his lightning-fast offence (PHOTO: Matt Rourke/AP).

You see, communication is key with Kelly’s offence, so any edge will be exploited. And even though he can communicate with his quarterback through headset technology — something he couldn’t do in the NCAA — the signs are staying.

And why not? After all, Philadelphia has shed a slow start and is now 7-5. With four games left, the Eagles are tied for first place in the NFC East with Dallas and eyeing the post-season.

When Kelly first started using the amusing placards at Oregon, it was no secret he did it to communicate plays faster and speed up the Ducks’ lightning-fast offence. Now, that’s been translated from Saturdays in the Pac-12 to Sundays in the NFL.

Mark Helfrich, who replaced Kelly as Oregon’s coach, explained the meaning behind the cryptic signs in 2010 when he was Kelly’s offensive co-ordinator.

“We tried to have one word to communicate 10 words,” Helfrich said at the time, “or one picture to communicate 10 words, something that would give our guys an immediate association so they could get out there and play fast.”

The Ducks used a variety of seemingly nonsensical photos, including the bearded Burger King, a map of New Hampshire, a battleship and ESPN sportscasters Rece Davis and Lee Corso. The signs were split into quadrants of pictures. Kelly has changed it up in the NFL. The Eagles use single photos on each poster instead of four pictures.

Players are so afraid to reveal anything that both sides — offence and defence — insist the posters are not for them.

“I saw that stuff at Oregon, so I knew it was coming but I didn’t know which pictures they would choose,” Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks said. “When I saw the Fresh Prince, I started laughing. Everything has to do with Philly. I don’t even know what they mean. It’s for the offence.”

Rookie left tackle Lane Johnson says otherwise.

“I’m telling you, man, they’re all for the defence,” Johnson said with a straight face.

Even newcomer Brad Smith wouldn’t slip up. The versatile Smith signed with the Eagles last month to return kicks, play special teams and perhaps even take a few snaps at quarterback in certain situations. He’s also a wide receiver, so he has to know the offence. Apparently, he received the memo about secrecy.

“I’m just trying to find my own way,” Smith said. “I don’t know what they are, but I know it means something to the defence.”

One assistant — sports science co-ordinator Shaun Huls — will hold up to two placards at a time, holding one up high and another low. They’re used alongside traditional hand motions and other odd signals such as assistants karate-kicking or arm flapping to speed up the no-huddle offence.

But the signs don’t necessarily identify plays. They could represent snap counts, formations, motions, routes or even nothing. That makes it nearly impossible for opponents to decipher. It’s sort of Spygate-proof. Even the New England Patriots, who were caught illegally filming signals of opposing coaches several years ago, couldn’t crack this code.

Besides some of the Philly-themed images, the Eagles also have used placards of Elvis Presley, Bart Simpson and the Oregon Duck, of course. Players can’t say much, but they will reveal their favourites if pressed on the subject.

Kendricks breaks into the theme song from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air when asked to pick his favourite.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/football/nfl-sports/chips-offbeat-sideline-signs-a-philly-smorgasbord/feed0Arizona Cardinals v Philadelphia EaglestheassociatedpresscanadaEagles sports science co-ordinator Shaun Huls holds a placard during the first half of a game against the Arizona Cardinals earlier this season. Philadelphia rookie head coach Chip Kelly finds signs better to communicate then microphones because the whole team can see the information and speed up his lightning-fast offence. (PHOTO: Matt Rourke/AP).Canada’s biggest banks face new challenges as some prepare for new leadershttp://o.canada.com/business/canadas-biggest-banks-face-new-challenges-as-some-prepare-for-new-leaders
http://o.canada.com/business/canadas-biggest-banks-face-new-challenges-as-some-prepare-for-new-leaders#respondSun, 07 Apr 2013 21:37:03 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=227453]]>By David Friend

TORONTO — Change is afoot at the big Canadian banks, as some of its top leaders near retirement age just as the economy runs into fresh challenges with the pace of growth.

Last week, TD Bank chief executive Ed Clark disclosed a succession plan that will lead to his exit in November 2014, but his move also raises questions about how the other big banks are planning for their next generation of leaders.

“Succession is always of interest, especially to shareholders,” said Dan Werner, Canadian bank analyst at Morningstar based in Chicago.

“You’re not going to see the growth that you saw five or six years ago,” he added.

Over the past few years, the Canadian banking sector has thrived on its lack of surprises, having endured the financial crisis without suffering any major stumbles and keeping its dividends reliable for investors.

Those days could be over as expectations of slower growth overtake Canadian retail banking and questions arise over where each bank will choose to turn in an attempt to drive its profits higher.

Last week, Clark told TD’s annual meeting that slower growth in the Canadian economy will pressure the sector and make it “tougher” for the bank to meet its earnings targets of seven to 10 per cent in 2013.

While the other banks haven’t shared their specific outlooks yet, the list of headwinds runs long, from high consumer debt to weakness in the housing market and a stubborn recovery in the U.S. economy.

“You’ve got natural slowing of growth in your core business, you’ve got a highly leveraged customer … and you’ve got very few switches to pull to allocate capital on a cost-effective basis and feel comfortable it will return,” said Stonecap Securities analyst Brad Smith.

“Those are pretty big challenges for incoming CEOs.”

TD Bank (TSX:TD) appears to be embarking on its next chapter with an incredible amount of caution. The bank launched an 18-month transition period that will ease Bharat Masrani into the CEO role, even though he’s been at the bank in various roles for 25 years.

Masrani has been in the eye of the financial storm as head of TD’s U.S. operations for the past seven years, when he helped grow the bank’s presence in the New England and the U.S. northeastern and mid-Atlantic states mostly through acquisitions.

Other Canadian banks could fall in lockstep by looking outside the Canadian executive ranks to find their next CEOs, Werner said.

“It’s a clear signal, from the boards at least, that this is where they see the company moving in terms of growth,” he said.

Depending on the bank, the leaders could may come from a variety of different places.

“Each one of these banks has some areas of specialty that they can continue to pick away at,” he said.

Nailing down when a CEO is going to retire can be a difficult task for observers, who typically rely on rumours or more tangible evidence, like in the case of Scotiabank (TSX:BNS) head Rick Waugh who has been easing off some of his responsibilities.

Last October, Waugh — who like TD’s Clark is 65 — handed his title of president to longtime Scotiabank executive Brian Porter, a move seen by many that makes him the leading candidate for the top job.

At Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO), CEO Bill Downe is 61, which could still give him several more years in the job.

Then there’s Gord Nixon, chief executive at Royal Bank (TSX:RY), who has served as CEO for 12 years, but is only 56 years old, which suggests he could keep going for several more years, as his counterpart at CIBC (TSX:CM) Gerald McCaughey is expected to do.

Regardless of how long each remains as CEO at the bank, it is clear that within the next five to eight years, the leadership at Canada’s banks will look quite different.

“You’ve got people underneath them and you don’t want to lose them to other organizations,” said Chris King, portfolio manager at Morgan, Meighen and Associates.

“I think you’re really looking at two tiers (of departure).”

King believes it’s likely that Waugh will be the next to leave, while the other three CEOs will depart during another wave closer to the end of the decade.

]]>http://o.canada.com/business/canadas-biggest-banks-face-new-challenges-as-some-prepare-for-new-leaders/feed0Ed Clark Bharat MasranithecanadianpressJay Baruchel, Catherine O’Hara among presenters at Canadian Screen Awardshttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/movies/jay-baruchel-catherine-ohara-among-presenters-at-canadian-screen-awards
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/movies/jay-baruchel-catherine-ohara-among-presenters-at-canadian-screen-awards#respondThu, 14 Feb 2013 14:24:10 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=199445]]>Jay Baruchel, Enrico Colantoni and Catherine O’Hara are among the stars who will be handing out trophies at the inaugural Canadian Screen Awards.

The new awards show, honouring the best in Canadian film and television, will be hosted by Martin Short in Toronto on March 3.

The awards will air live on CBC-TV, including a red carpet pre-show with comedian Shaun Majumder.

Last year, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television announced it would replace the separate Gemini and Genie television and film awards with the new Canadian Screen Awards, saying the new show would be “a true reflection of the multiplatform universe of today.”

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/movies/jay-baruchel-catherine-ohara-among-presenters-at-canadian-screen-awards/feed0Jay BaruchelthecanadianpressThe Bachelor Canada blog: Brad Smith on After the Final Rosehttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-after-the-final-rose
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-after-the-final-rose#respondThu, 29 Nov 2012 03:30:43 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=159383]]>Nine weeks after Brad Smith’s televised search for love began, Canada’s first Bachelor finds himself engaged and in love with Toronto nurse Bianka Kamber. On tonight’s “After the Final Rose” special, Smith and his fiancee officially came out as a couple. Of course, there was the awkward matter of dealing with temperamental runner-up Whitney, but in the end, as he reveals in this week’s final Bachelor Canada blog, Smith has moved on from hurricane “Whit” and moved in with his future wife. Here he speaks about the experience of being Canada’s most eligible bachelor, Whitney’s frustrating incoherence and his plans for life after The Bachelor Canada.

Congratulations not only on your engagement but also for getting through the journey that was The Bachelor Canada. For all the rest of us that aren’t you, how would you sum up the experience of being Canada’s first Bachelor?

This has been the most amazing experience of my life! Not only did it lead me to the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, it truly helped me learn more about myself. I’m really proud that this show was uniquely Canadian in that they chose a realistic person who was serious about the process and looking for the same things out of life in someone else…who I found in the end.

On tonight’s episode you saw Whitney for the first time since your awkward goodbye. Can you describe how it felt to speak frankly with her about the highs and lows of your tumultuous relationship?

Being the kind of guy that I am, I was always honest with the women on the show. As the bachelor in this unique situation, you have to know yourself and know what you want out of a relationship. I had a really intense connection with Whit off the bat, but the difficulty she had communicating with me really hampered any progress we could have made together. I was always honest with her during the show, and the “After the Final Rose” special wasn’t any different. It was awkward because of the way things were left, but that’s in the past now. I’m looking forward to my future with Bianka.

In typical Whitney fashion, her answers were half formed thoughts with veiled accusations. Did you feel satisfied with her answers?

Once again, I sat with her and didn’t hear one coherent thought. That’s just Whit, but I wasn’t there to demonize her. At that point, I was just excited to see Bianka, and it really didn’t matter what Whit had to say. In the end, we weren’t right for each other. I wish her the best and hope she finds love, just like I do all the women who were on the show.

Tonight’s episode focused on your future with Bianka but you mentioned she would call you (as you could not appear in public), can you tell us a bit about your phone conversations through the show?

Bianka is one of the most secure women I’ve ever met, but she still had to deal with people talking to her about my relationships with all the other girls. Since we were engaged before the show premiered, it was hard to keep secrets from our friends who were watching the show and who had a lot of opinions about me and the other girls. For us, it was so important to talk as much possible to maintain our relationship and continue building on what we had at the end of the show. We worried less about other people’s opinions and focused more on getting to know each other better and planning our life together. We couldn’t wait for the day that we could finally be in public together and be open about our relationship. Now that that time has come, we’re so happy.

It’s been a couple of weeks since the taping, have you found your house/managed to convince her to elope?

I moved into her house last week and will be there until we find a place of our own together. We still want to get married as soon as possible. We almost eloped during one of our vacations, but we really wanted our families to be there so we decided to wait and plan a proper wedding! Croatians have a lot of traditions that I respect and want her to enjoy.

Finally, give this love story an epilogue. What do you have planned/how do you see your life going forward.

Right now, we’re just focused on our relationship, finding a place to live together and getting married in the near future. I won the lottery being on this show and having the chance to find the woman of my dreams in the end. I’m looking forward to starting the next chapter of my life with Bianka, the best person I’ve ever met.

]]>http://o.canada.com/discussions/the-bachelor-canada-2/feed0The Bachelor Canada After the Final RosejonathandekelThe Bachelor Canada blog: Brad Smith on The Final Rosehttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-the-final-rose
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-the-final-rose#commentsThu, 22 Nov 2012 04:00:10 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=154724]]>Even before the final rose was handed out to Missasauga, Ontario nurse Bianka, the writing was on the wall for the possible future Mrs. Smith. As other finalist Whitney emotionally imploded, “B” played the part of the smoother love stuck angel, leaving bachelor Brad to make a teary-eyed proposal on the same Barbados beach in which his personal journey began. In this week’s blog, Smith discusses which finalist he was leaning towards going in to tonight’s episode, Whitney’s awkward family dinner and what Bianka did to make his choice for the final rose so easy.

Which way were you leaning before both Bianka and Whitney met your family?

Being in the unique position as the bachelor, you have to develop multiple, but at the same time, individual relationships with each of the girls, and my relationships with Whit and Bianka were very different. I had concerns about Whit’s ability to open up, but I also felt insecure about Bianka’s feelings for me. I was leaning more towards Bianka at that point, but I needed my family’s approval to see who would be a better fit for me, especially since they know me the best.

The editing on Whitney’s dinner with your family made it appear like she couldn’t complete a sentence. Was it really that awkward in real life?

It was incredibly awkward during the dinner with Whit because she had such a hard time opening up to my family. You didn’t get to see the entire dinner, but it was challenging for her to interact with them. At that point, my family got to see what my major issue with Whit was – the lack of communication in our relationship.

When did you realize that Whitney’s emotional issues stretched further than simply a lack of communication?

Even though Whit tried to reassure me that she could open up and talk about her feelings, once I brought her home to meet my family it became obvious that she was still struggling and her continued behaviour of being closed off set in again. I was there to find the person I could start a life with, and the ability to communicate with a partner is paramount in any relationship.

When did the choice of Bianka really become crystallized and how much of that was due to Whitney’s emotional implosion?

After our date in Mexico, my relationship with Bianka evolved much more quickly. Once we got Newfoundland, she was definitely the frontrunner – she made it easy! Bianka is the best person I’ve ever met, and that became more obvious to me with every moment I spent with her.

What was going through your mind when Bianka walked down the beach aisle with Tyler?

I was just blown away by how beautiful she looked and how surreal the moment was. I went on the show with the hope that I would find someone to start a life with, and Bianka exceeded all my expectations. I’m so lucky that she chose me too!

The filming of this episode must have been emotionally exhausting. Did watching it from a third person perspective give you any further insight?

Obviously, the viewers didn’t get to see all the hours of filming that went into the show or all the things that happened on our dates, but what they did see was very true to my experience. This was the most amazing experience of my life, and the best part is, I get to walk away from it with Bianka by my side.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-the-final-rose/feed1Bachelor CanadabradsmithbachelorThe Bachelor Canada blog: Brad Smith on The Women Tell Allhttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-the-ladies-tell-all
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-the-ladies-tell-all#commentsThu, 15 Nov 2012 03:41:15 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=150613]]>With only one episode to go before bachelor Brad makes his big decision, the eliminated ladies were reunited to hash out their unresolved issues in front of a live studio audience In this week’s blog, Brad Smith discusses how it felt seeing the ladies again for the first time, getting emotional for Lauren B. and the fall out from Kara’s surprise dismissal.

This episode was your first chance to see many of ladies since you eliminated them. Which bachelorette were you most excited or most fearful of seeing again?

I as looking forward to seeing Laura B., especially because of the way our relationship ended. I was so nervous about being in the hot seat but, at the same time, I was excited to see them too!

To be honest, even though I didn’t know what they might say, I have a lot of respect for all the women on the show because they took time out of their lives to be on this journey with me and see if we had a connection for a potential relationship.

How did it feel sitting backstage while both Melissa Marie and Tia said they were disappointed with you?

From the very beginning I’ve always said that it would be unlikely that all 25 women on the show would like me too, so I wasn’t upset that Melissa Marie didn’t feel a connection with me. I was disappointed Tia remembered our Mexico date a little differently, especially because, being the kind of guy that I am, if I had known she didn’t feel anything for me, I would have talked to her about going home and not wasting her time in the process. What Tia was saying about our conversation in Mexico was put in a completely different context.

What was the most shocking thing, for you, that came out of this week’s episode?

The most shocking thing for me was hearing that Kara felt we had more of a friendship. She was very vocal throughout the entire show about wanting to start a life with me and her feelings, so what she said in the limo as she left the show wasn’t what she had expressed to me whatsoever.

Judging by the reaction on social media, a lot of viewers were shocked by your choice to eliminate Kara — with whom you appeared to have the most natural chemistry. Were you taken aback by that reaction? With the benefit of time and lack of editing, do you want to explain that choice beyond what you said on last week’s show?

I’m really glad Kara was so well liked by the viewers, but for me, the connection didn’t compare to what I was feeling for the other girls. Although I do respect the opinions of the fans, ultimately, I’m not picking for them, I’m picking for myself.

What exactly was it about Laura B that brought you to tears?

It didn’t bring me to tears, but I got sentimental speaking to her. I could really relate to a lot of the insecurities Laura B had because I felt the same way when I was her age. She’s an amazing woman, and she has so much value as a person, that it was hard to see her feeling so discouraged or down on herself. I really wanted her to know that she’s beautiful inside and out, and that any guy would be lucky to have her as a girlfriend.

For Episode Six, bachelor Brad took the remaining ladies to Atlantic Canada for a series of picturesque dream dates.

]]>jonathandekelThe Bachelor Canada blog: Tyler Harcott on being Brad Smith’s wingmanhttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/the-bachelor-canada-blog-tyler-harcott-on-being-brad-smiths-wingman
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/the-bachelor-canada-blog-tyler-harcott-on-being-brad-smiths-wingman#respondThu, 08 Nov 2012 03:42:29 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=146121]]>As host of The Bachelor Canada, Tyler Harcott’s job is as much about being a guide in love as it is informing the ladies when the final rose is up for grabs. As such, the Edmonton native has a unique perspective on all things Bachelor, from Brad Smith’s most trying off camera moments to which of the bachelorettes are really there for true love and which are just there to win. With only a handful of episodes left till this season’s matrimonial finale, host Harcott spills on bachelor Brad’s decision making process, being a paternal wingman and Whitney’s competitive nature.

In comparison to your American counterpart, you’ve held a relatively minor role in the show. How close were you with Brad during filming?

Understand first off that the show is called The Bachelor, not The Host. As much as I’d like to contribute more to each episode, I also know that what’s most important is that people see as much of the bachelor and his interaction with the bachelorettes as possible. The role of the American host has grown over time and I’m sure it will for me, as well.

As for my closeness with Brad, I was essentially his wingman but in more of a paternal role as opposed to as one of his buddies. I wanted to make sure he knew I was there to offer advice when called upon.

Give us some insight into the stuff we didn’t get to see. Which decision was the hardest for Brad and how did you help him come to it?

A couple of times Brad chose to send four of the ladies home. The second time this happened, he had a very hard time deciding who he should keep. I simply asked him which of the ladies made him feel the most joy when he was with them. “That’s the one you keep.” Forget looks, forget the superficial qualities, that will all fade with time. But the joy, that’s eternal.

A lot was made about Whitney’s true intentions on the show. Do you feel she was simply ‘playing the game,’ as many of the other contestants suggested?

Whitney is a competitor by nature and perhaps she let that cloud her judgement. She is a strong, confident and driven woman and she has no reason to apologize for that. Could she have handled some situations better? Yes. Does she deserve to wear the scarlet letter? No.

What was the best moment we never saw?

Tonight’s episode. When Brad leaves with the eliminated bachelorette, myself and one of the production team get caught in the camera’s path trying to open a door (that was locked) to escape the frame. At the last second, we hit the floor and crawl behind a pillar so we can’t be seen. I don’t know how no one heard us laughing.

Coming in to the home stretch, what advice did you give Brad about love from your personal experience?

It’s not guaranteed and it’s only forever if you make it so. It must be mended like a wall, tended like a plant and cherished like a flame that is always in danger of being extinguished.

With your unique perspective, if you had your choice of the ladies, which would you choose and why?

I think they’re all wonderful and like any red-blooded Canadian boy, I have my favourites. But who I would choose isn’t really important. It’s about who Brad would choose and, believe it or not, that decision gets harder and harder every week.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/the-bachelor-canada-blog-tyler-harcott-on-being-brad-smiths-wingman/feed0Bachelor Canada Ep 3jonathandekelThe Bachelor Canada blog: Brad Smith on Episode Fivehttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-episode-five
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-episode-five#respondThu, 01 Nov 2012 01:45:12 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=141130]]>It may only be Episode Five, but it’s already down to the final four for bachelor Brad Smith, which can only mean one thing: home visits. Starting off with Bianka’s Mississauga, Ontario homestead, Smith broke bread, charmed relatives and held babies at the parental homes of his perspective suitors getting familiar with the bachelorettes’ lives outside the Victoria, BC mansion. In this week’s Bachelor Canada blog, Smith discusses his past parental experiences, Bianka’s past relationships and how Whitney’s “intensity” spoke louder than her words.

You seem to be a natural with parents. What was your previous experience with meeting the families of your lady friends like and how did these compare?

I come from a really close family, and I take meeting someone’s family – especially a prospective girlfriend’s – really seriously. In the past, and even in this experience, I would never feel comfortable meeting someone’s parents if I didn’t feel confident that there was a strong connection between us. It was the same situation here, only this time, there were cameras!

How different were the ladies’ parents and families from what you expected?

I truly believe that a family contributes to who you become as a person, and since I had such amazing girls with me, I knew their families had to be just as special. To be very honest, what really struck me on all the hometown dates was how welcoming everyone was and how comfortable they made me feel. All the girls had different backgrounds, but every family made me feel included, and that meant a lot.

Bianka once again mentioned her past relationship with Kris Humphries. Did you get the feeling she still isn’t over that?

I knew Bianka had been hurt in the past, and that she was treated in a way that she didn’t deserve. But I also knew she was there for the right reasons and ready to move forward just by seeing how seriously she took the process. She called me out on things and asked hard questions when she needed to, and she has very strong opinions about what she’s looking for in a partner. That made her more attractive to me.

You seemed most at home with Kara’s family. Conversely, the dinner with Whitney’s parents seemed incredibly uncomfortable. Were both as they appeared to be and how important was either in your ultimate decision?

What you saw in the episode was very true to my experience. Kara’s family was amazing, but so were the other girls’ families. One of the things that really stood out on Whit’s hometown date was that her family was so expressive, and yet she couldn’t verbalize her feelings. Of course what happened on the hometown dates factored into my decisions at the rose ceremony, but I also had to think of the end point in this process and decide who I could see with me in the future.

After she went out of her way to get alone time with you, why do you feel Whitney is having trouble being honest with you about her emotions?

I understand that some people are slower to open up than others, and in Whit’s case, her intensity came across in her actions more than her words. Once she was able to reassure me that she could open up and reach that point in our relationship, I knew I needed more time with her.

What was it about Gabrielle that made you send her home this episode?

Gabby is an amazing girl who really came a long way in a very short time. She was always straight-forward and honest with me, but she also has a soft side. And while I had a great time with her, in the end, I felt I had a stronger connection with the other three girls. It was hard to see her go home, but I know I made the right decision.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-episode-five/feed0Bachelor CanadabradsmithbachelorThe Bachelor Canada blog: Brad Smith on Episode Fourhttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-episode-four
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-episode-four#respondThu, 25 Oct 2012 03:44:05 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=136000]]>For The Bachelor Canada’s fourth episode, bachelor Brad Smith was tasked with eliminating half of the remaining eight bachelorettes. Beginning with a four-on-one photoshoot, Smith set the tone of breaking convention early when he chose to give none of the daters a rose. The fun continued when Whitney, fearing that she may not get the coveted one-on-one date, snuck away from the mansion and barged into Brad’s hotel room, leading to an emotional Bachelor breakdown and, eventually, an adventurous date that made Smith nearly throw up – in a good way. Also in the episode, Brad chose honest Bianka over emotional Laura B. in a two-on-one in Paris date and pastor Chantelle left the show after news of her grandfather’s passing led her to head home. With Whitney and Bianka’s date roses firmly in hand, Brad made the hard decision of keeping Kara and Gabrielle on to the family stage. In this week’s blog, Smith discusses Whitney’s true intentions, why Bianka’s “hard to get” strategy turns him on and what would really would have happened had Chantelle stayed.

Whitney entering your room was the first time any of the ladies had really stretched the rules of Bachelor convention. What were you thinking when you opened the door to see her?

Whitney’s visit was truly a surprise, but if anyone were to do something like this, and break the rules, it would have been her. She’s determined, competitive and goes after what she wants with no regrets.

After you opened up to her, Whitney responded with the demand that she “better get that one-on-one date.” And in the next scene she refers to the show as a competition. Did you ever get the sense she was there for the wrong reasons?

I can only really speak to the side of Whitney I saw when we were together. During our conversations, she was always trying to improve our connection so that there was more between us than just a physical attraction. That’s why I’m really glad everyone got to see the side of Whitney that I knew when we were on our date in Osoyoos. Even though she’s a competitive person, I felt she was there for the right reasons.

Bianka appears to be acting rather cold to you and yet you have twice chosen to keep her. Are you a fan of the “hard to get” strategy or is there something we’re not seeing?

To be honest with you, the “hard to get” strategy did work for me. It was intriguing and made me want to get to know her better, and also figure out what I had to do to make her more comfortable around me so she could open up. We took a huge step forward in Mexico, and in Paris, I realized that she is a realistic person who is thinking about the process and what she is looking for in a partner. I found that very attractive.

Why did you choose to give Whitney the one-on-one over Chantelle?

After Whitney and I had that intense conversation about my past, I really wanted to spend more time together and put the focus more on her. I’m so glad I did, because she really helped me conquer my fear of heights and I couldn’t be more excited that we got to do that together.

What you didn’t see in the episode was that I was planning a picnic for Chantelle, but when we met up at the mansion, she told me about her grandfather.

You didn’t appear to put up much of a fight when Chantelle told you she was leaving. If she had stayed, would she have gotten a rose?

It was absolutely crushing to see Chantelle so devastated over the passing of her grandfather. At that point, I was only thinking of her and what she needed. She made that decision to leave and be with her family and I respect her all the more for it. She did what she felt was right and I understood that she had to go back home.

After a longer deliberation you chose Gabrielle to over Ana and Britany. Who or what made your decision so difficult/put Gabrielle over the edge?

I take meeting a girl’s family really seriously. I needed to make sure I had that time to make the right decision. Although it was a really tough, I had to think about my end point in this and choose the women who I could see a future with. Britany and Ana are both amazing girls, but at that point in the rose ceremony, I thought Gabby, Kara, Bianka and Whitney were the women I had the strongest connections with.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-episode-four/feed0Bachelor Canada, Episode FourbradsmithbachelorPhotos: The Bachelor Canada ‘Week Four’http://o.canada.com/photos/photos-the-bachelor-canada-week-four
Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:47:11 +0000http://o.canada.com/?post_type=photo_gallery&p=136485]]>]]>jonathandekelimg_3523_thumbimg_4228-2img_5280img_4268img_5218img_3414myg_3539myg_3181myg_3519img_4635img_3523img_3732img_4289-2img_4136myg_3345img_4552img_3619img_2765myg_3647img_5291img_5226img_3424img_3705img_3681img_3044img_3453img_2989img_2829-4The Bachelor Canada blog: Brad Smith on Episode Threehttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-episode-three
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-episode-three#respondThu, 18 Oct 2012 03:00:21 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=130966]]>For The Bachelor Canada’s third episode, bachelor Brad Smith went horseback riding with Kara, took his shirt off during a group date in Mexico and got in the spirit of Canadian Lumberjack competition at B.C.’s Sooke River Campground. In this week’s blog, Smith discusses giving Bianka a second chance, not connecting with Nicole and what he was thinking when Chantelle told him she was a virgin.

Why did you choose Kara for this week’s one on one date?

I chose Kara for this week’s one-on-one date because, from the moment she stepped out of the limo and threw me that softball, I knew that she was the kind of girl who would be up for anything. I’d never done anything like herding cattle before but I knew I could handle that date with someone as easy-going as Kara by my side.

Did you purposely avoid giving Nicole one-on-one time or did she simply slip through the cracks?

I didn’t purposely avoid giving Nicole a one-on-one date. It was just one of those situations where we didn’t get a chance to connect as much as we wanted to for a variety of reasons. I was hoping that we would get to spend some extra time together on the lumberjack date (since I thought her team had the edge), but it just didn’t work out that way. In the end, I thought, since we didn’t have a strong connection, it was fairer to send her home at that point rather than prolonging her time there unnecessarily.

Normally if a Bachelor doesn’t seem to click with a contestant, she’s eliminated. Why did you feel the need to give Bianka a second chance with the one-on-one date in Mexico?

Bianka was really stand-offish in the first few weeks and I actually didn’t think she liked me. But after talking to her in Mexico and understanding that it takes her a while to open up, I wanted to put her in a one-on-one situation to find out if we were compatible, and if we had a strong enough connection to continue in the process together, or we’d know where we stood!

What are your thoughts about the accusations that she wasn’t on the show for the right reasons?

It didn’t matter to me what the other girls were saying about each other. I only cared about the time I spent with the girls individually and what we got from each other. I stand behind every decision I made on the show. I was there to find the one girl who I could start a life with. What the other girls had to say didn’t impact my interest in building a relationship with any of the women in the mansion. The choice was ultimately up to me!

What went through your mind when Chantelle told you she was a virgin?

Chantelle is a really courageous girl. It was important that she understood my view that everyone lives their life in their own way, and someone’s sexual history has no bearing on whether or not I’m going to be attracted to her.

Any guy would be lucky to have Chantelle in his life. To be honest, I admire that she’s someone who has strong values and owns who she is as a person. She knows what she wants out of a relationship and I really respected her for being so honest and open with me.

How did you come to the decision of eliminating four girls instead of the mandated two?

At that point in the process, there was a core group of girls I wanted to get to know better and I wanted to have as much time as possible to do that. I needed to find that one person who was there for the right reasons and for me. I would never give a rose to a girl just to keep her around. I had way to much respect for the women to do that to them. It was definitely a hard decision but one I knew I had to make if I wanted to be true to my intentions of going on the show.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-episode-three/feed0Bachelor Canada Ep 3jonathandekelPhotos: The Bachelor Canada Week Threehttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/photos-the-bachelor-canada-week-three
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/photos-the-bachelor-canada-week-three#respondThu, 18 Oct 2012 14:22:14 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=131206]]>For The Bachelor Canada’s third episode, bachelor Brad Smith went horseback riding with Kara, took his shirt off during a group date in Mexico and got in the spirit of Canadian Lumberjack competition at B.C.’s Sooke River Campground.

In the second episode of The Bachelor Canada bachelor Brad took the bachelorettes to such exotic locals as Las Vegas and New Orleans. Read his thoughts on “Night Two.”

]]>jonathandekelimg_1266img_1326img_1341The Bachelor Canada blog: Brad Smith on Night Onehttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-episode-1
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-bachelor-canada-blog-brad-smith-on-episode-1#commentsThu, 04 Oct 2012 05:41:35 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=122001]]>Following each episode of The Bachelor Canada, bachelor Brad Smith is blogging about his experience on the show for Canada.com. For the premiere, the former CFL player reveals how he became Canada’s first bachelor, how he felt when the first limo pulled up and whether he has any regrets.

Watching the first episode was surreal. Everything you see is very true to my experience.

This is the first time I’ve been in such a unique dating situation. It’s not typical for me to be dating multiple girls at one time. My best friend’s ex-girlfriend is a friend of the casting director for Bachelor Canada and they randomly bumped into each other earlier this year. The casting director mentioned she was working on the show and my buddy said he had the perfect guy for her and gave her my number. She called me while I was on vacation with my parents in Barbados. It was one of those life-meets-opportunity moments because I was at a point in my life where I was feeling ready to settle down. A few days after our initial conversation, I met with her and the network executives. I was very honest and realistic about how I saw myself in the process. I actually didn’t think they would pick me but soon after that I was chosen to be the bachelor.

When the first limo pulled up I was in stage three of a heart attack! I was so nervous, and I worried the girls would take one look at me and ask to go back to the airport.

I had seen the American version because my best friend’s fiancée forced me to watch the first couple of seasons with them and then I got hooked on the show so when the final limo pulled up and Jillian Harris stepped out of it I felt relieved. I thought they were going to bring out an ex-girlfriend!

Jill talked to all the girls to find out more about them and, ultimately, she helped give me insight into who should receive the first impression rose.

It was easy to give the first impression rose to Whitney. We just had a connection off the bat. Usually someone’s intensity would throw me off right away, but she seemed to be so calm about it.

On the other hand, Ana was one of the girls who had tried to talk to me all night and, for whatever reason, we just never had a complete conversation. I didn’t want to send her home without getting to know her and I appreciated that she really tried to get to know me that night too. That’s why I wanted to go off the cuff and give her that extra rose.

To be honest, I don’t regret any decisions I made during the rose ceremony. Don’t get me wrong, it was hard to be the one standing in front of those women deciding who would stay and who would go; but ultimately, I made the decisions based on what I felt was right for me at the time.

Having seen the episode several times now, it still feels very real for me every time I watch it. It’s is so well done that it exceeded my expectations. It’s not just good Canadian television, it’s just good television.

]]>jonathandekelimg_0294compUPDATED: Congratulations Sen. Larry Smith — your son is The Bachelorhttp://o.canada.com/news/congratulations-sen-larry-smith-your-son-is-the-bachelor
http://o.canada.com/news/congratulations-sen-larry-smith-your-son-is-the-bachelor#respondTue, 01 May 2012 14:12:47 +0000http://blogs.canada.com/?p=50197]]>It seems that Sen. Larry Smith is no longer the most famous of his clan in the country. That title now rests with his son, Brad Smith, a.k.a. The Bachelor.

Smith’s son was announced Tuesday morning as the key character in the Canadian version of the popular American reality show where a group of women vie for the affection of one man. (Doesn’t nearly sound as tough as being a senator, does it?)

Senator Smith was laughing quite a bit when he was asked about his son’s reality television quest for love.

“Speaking on behalf of the family…I think everyone’s excited for Brad,” Senator Smith said in a quick telephone interview.

Brad Smith (Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo)

When it comes to football, Senator Smith has a lot in common with Bachelor Smith.

Senator Smith played fullback with the Montreal Alouettes from 1972 to 1980 where he did a lot of running.

Bachelor Smith played for the Alouettes as well, running back one kick for four yards in 2007. Bachelor Smith was a member of the Toronto Argonauts before being traded to the Edmonton Eskimos in 2010.

Larry Smith (Allen McInnis/The Gazette)

Now, having a father as a senator is one thing, but Bachelor Smith has tried to emerge from the long shadow cast by his football-playing father for years.

“Ever since I was in high school, growing up in Quebec, then in Toronto when he was commissioner, I’ve never really been out of the shadow. This is the first time I’ve not had to deal it,” Bachelor Smith told the Edmonton Journal in 2010, after being traded to the Eskimos.

So does being The Bachelor make you more famous and powerful than being The Senator?

Senator Smith laughed at the question, repeating that the focus Tuesday was on his son, not himself.

Senator Smith didn’t quite have any specific advice for his son (that may have been different if it was a question about football), but that the family was there to support Bachelor Smith as the series aired, leading to the finale in the fall where Bachelor Smith is supposed to find true love.

“We’re going to look at this like everyone else and anxiously await the fall,” Senator Smith said with a laugh.